New with tags. How long has that new dress hung in the back of your closet? If you haven’t worn it by now, it’s time to sell it to someone who will.

Excellent shape. No rips, stains or tears allowed. And it should be clean.

Fashionable. Some consignment shops take items that are four or five years old, while others insist on newer, fashionable items. Ask about restrictions.

Name brand. Even if it’s not brand new, a label with a famous name is attractive to many consignment shoppers. “It could be someone else’s treasure,” says Sukey Johnson, a wardrobe consultant in Nashville, Tenn.

You’ll share the proceeds with the consignment sale organizer or shop owner, and the percentage varies. Some sellers give you 70 percent of the profit, while others might split the profit evenly.

“You are never going to make back 100 percent of what you paid for an item, whether you bought it yesterday or 15 years ago,” Ingram says. “It’s a way to clear out the clutter in your closet and in your dresser.”

Donate items you don’t sell to charity. You can get a tax break while freeing up some room in your closet.
This article originally appeared as on American Profile